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  • Imran govt steps up to support former military ruler in high treason case?

    Days after former dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf petitioned the Lahore High Court (LHC) to challenge the reservation of a special court verdict in the high treason case against him, the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan-led government has also sought postponement of the same.

    According to media reports, the Interior Ministry on Monday also challenged the forthcoming November 28 verdict in a high court and said that Musharraf’s co-accused were not made part of the trial.

    In its petition, the ministry requested that the verdict in the high treason case be stopped until a new prosecution team was formed as the government had last month sacked the entire prosecution team formed by the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.

    On October 23, the Interior Ministry had denotified the prosecution and constitutional teams, as well as the research assistant working on the high treason case against Musharraf. The notification said that the step was taken under Section 4-A of the Central Law Officers Ordinance, 1970, which deals with appointments made by the president. It says that the services of the teams have been “disengaged”.

    “The prosecution team was denotified on October 23, but it pursued the case a day later on October 24 and submitted written arguments without any authority to do so,” the Interior Ministry, led by Brig (r) Ijaz Shah of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), reportedly said.

    Hearing Musharraf’s separate petition challenging the forthcoming verdict, the LHC, earlier in the day, directed the counsel of the former military dictator to present arguments on the maintainability of the petition seeking suspension of the ex-army chief’s high treason trial in a special court.

    Justice Sayyed Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi told Musharraf’s counsel to argue on the maintainability of the petition on Tuesday. “How can the LHC hear this petition when matters relating to Musharraf are pending in the country’s top court [Supreme Court of Pakistan]?” asked Justice Naqvi.

    “Also, how is the petition maintainable in LHC when the petitioner is a resident of Islamabad?”

    The ailing former military ruler had last week petitioned LHC to stay the proceedings of a special court trying him for “subverting the Constitution on November 3, 2007” until he recuperates and appears before the court in person.

    Citing the example of cases against former PM Nawaz Sharif, Musharraf’s counsel argued that the LHC had found Nawaz’s petition maintainable although his cases were also being heard in Islamabad.

    “Nawaz Sharif is a resident of Lahore while Musharraf is a resident of Islamabad,” replied Justice Naqvi.

    The counsel further contended that the treason case against Musharraf was filed without following due process. “The case was filed with only the approval of then-premier Nawaz. His cabinet’s approval was never sought,” said Musharraf’s lawyer.

    Justice Naqvi adjourned the proceedings till Tuesday and directed the former army chief’s counsel to explain why his petition should be heard by the LHC.

    On November 19, the three-judge special court, which has been hearing the high treason case against Musharraf since 2013, reserved its verdict after six years.

    The verdict is likely to be announced on November 28 in the absence of Musharraf, who went to the United Arab Emirates in May 2016 for ‘medical treatment’ and has not returned since to face the court. The high treason charge carries capital punishment in Pakistan.

    MUSHARRAF CASE:

    The PML-N government had filed the treason case against Musharraf over the president’s imposition of an extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007.

    Earlier this year, head of the prosecution, Mohammad Akram Sheikh, tendered his resignation. In his resignation letter sent to the interior secretary, Sheikh expressed his inability to proceed with the case after the imminent change of government at the centre.

    Sheikh was appointed as the head of the prosecution in the case in November 2013, by the then-PML-N led government.

    The former army chief was indicted in the case in March 2014 after he appeared before the court and rejected all charges.

    On March 18, 2016, the former president left Pakistan for Dubai for medical treatment after his name was removed from the Exit Control List on the orders of the Supreme Court.

    A few months later, the special court had declared him a proclaimed offender and ordered the confiscation of his property owing to his no-show. Later, on orders of the Supreme Court, Musharraf’s passport and identity card were also cancelled.

  • K-pop accuses Alkaram of plagiarism

    K-pop accuses Alkaram of plagiarism

     Alkaram has released a new collection and it looks like they copied a design from a Korean band’s album cover.

    A kurta on their website had delicate floral embroidery and local fans noticed that the designs look exactly like K-pop band’s album cover from 2017.

    BTS (K-pop band) fandom in Pakistan called out Alkaram for plagiarising the design.

    https://twitter.com/asakk1313/status/1197877148868104198

    Soon after the backlash, the brand removed the kurta from its website.

    One of the fans also shared a conversation with the brand that claimed the design is original and genuine.

    While another fan told that they are working on the issue after talking to the brand.

    https://twitter.com/PakBangtan/status/1197842249201139713

    K-pop is a genre of popular music originating in South Korea.

  • Pakistan wins Rs1 billion damage claim against Chinese energy company

    Pakistan has clinched a favourable ruling in an international court regarding its one billion rupees of liquidated damage claim against a Chinese energy conglomerate for delaying renewable power projects, The News reported.

    According to reports, officials have said that London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) issued its final awards related to a dispute between Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA-G) and Zonergy Company Limited last week.

    In the determination of the disputes between the parties, the sole arbitrator decided the required commercial operations date, “as agreed between the parties under the respective energy purchase agreements, represented a valid and binding obligation”.

    “Consequently, CPPA-G’s imposition of liquidated damages for the power projects’ delay in achieving COD (commercial operations date) by RCOD (required commercial operations date) was justified,” the official said, citing the awards.

    The CPPA-G and three subsidiaries of Zonergy approached the London Court of International Arbitration earlier this year to agitate their disputes under three identical energy purchase agreements signed between CPPA-G and the subsidiaries of Zonergy in June 2015 to set up 300 megawatts of solar power project. Each solar independent power producer has the capacity to generate 100 megawatts.

    The final hearing for the LCIA arbitration numbers (183,881, 183,884 and 183,885) initiated by the independent power producers took place from April 29, 2019 to May 3, 2019 in Islamabad. The sole arbitrator appointed by the LCIA issued his final awards in the LCIA arbitration on November 19, 2019.

    The federal cabinet has approved a draft of a renewable energy policy, envisaging 20 percent clean energy by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030, up from around 4 percent currently. The government would soon convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interests to finalise the renewable energy policy.

    Consequent to expiry of RE Policy 2006 in March 2018, AEDB initiated the formulation of a new policy in view of government’s decision to come up with a policy aimed at creating conducive environment supported by a robust framework for the sustainable growth of renewable energy sector.

    London Court of International Arbitration further determined that the identical liquidated damages provision in the energy purchase agreements was legal and enforceable.

  • Imran’s aide differs on inflation statement, says govt cannot give any timeframe

    Two days after Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that his government will soon overcome inflation in the country “caused by the flawed policies of previous regimes”, his adviser on commerce, textile, industry and production, Abdul Razak Dawood, has said that no timeframe can be given in this regard.

    Addressing a public gathering in Mianwali last week, the premier said that his government had inherited multiple economic issues, including low foreign exchange reserves, a huge circular debt and fiscal as well as current account deficits.

    “Previous administration had been spending reserve dollars to stabilise and maintain the value of the local currency. The PTI [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] government had not found enough dollars to follow suit so a correction strategy followed,” he said.

    The premier also blamed rupee devaluation for inflation, adding that his government had nothing to do with it and the genie will soon be put back in the bottle.

    Speaking at a prize distribution ceremony at the concluding day of three-day 11th “Interiors Pakistan” international exhibition at the Expo Center organised by Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC), Dawood on Sunday said that inflation was a very big issue and the government was trying to control it.

    He said that no timeframe could be given in this regard, however, “prices of food items will soon be controlled”. “The price of dollar has stabilised, fluctuation has been brought under control,” Dawood maintained, adding that escalating prices will be controlled with the efforts of the government in near future.

  • Paresh Rawal speaks up for Muslim professor’s hiring in India

    Paresh Rawal speaks up for Muslim professor’s hiring in India

    Bollywood’s veteran actor Paresh Rawal is raising his voice in support of an Indian Muslim university professor Feroz Khan. According to reports, Dr Feroze was being hired to teach Sanskrit and people were protesting against that because they thought that the language needed to be protected.

    Paresh voiced his disbelief at the protest and highlighted the “irony” that Professor Feroze had done his Masters and PhD in Sanskrit.

    He added that if that if the protestors logic was to be followed, the “late Shri Mohammad Rafi ji should not have sung any BHAJANS and Naushad Saab should not have composed it!”

    Hardline Hindu students at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) are holding a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor’s office against the appointment of Professor Feroz Khan. Their stance is that since most Hindu religious text is in Sanskrit, they don’t want a Muslim professor for teaching linguistic lessons about Sanskrit.

    On the other hand, there were a few students who were in favor of the Muslim professor’s appointment.

  • VIDEO: New Delhi university students sing ‘Hum Dekheinge’ by Faiz Ahmad Faiz

    Students of New Delhi’s Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), have grabbed the attention of thousands of internet users for singing Pakistani Marxist poet and author Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s iconic poem ‘Hum Dekheinge’.

    According to journalist Pervaiz Alam, the recitation came after he asked the students to sing a song for him while conducting a media workshop.

    “I asked students to sing a song for me and they chose Hum Dekhenge by Faiz as I conducted a media workshop at the IIMC in New Delhi on 21 Nov. Meet the vibrant students of Indian Institute of Mass Communication [sic],” he tweeted while sharing the video.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    ‘HUM DEKHEINGE’:

    The popular revolutionary poem was written by Faiz in 1979 when he was in Honolulu for a writers’ conference. The poem was included in Faiz’s seventh poetry book titled “Mere Dil Mere Musafir” in 1981 and is known for its rendition by singer Iqbal Bano.

    The poem’s beginning deals with conventional themes such as injustice and oppression, then gives way to more overtly religious symbolism. Faiz writes that the idols will be lifted from the Kabah and goes on to describe a revolutionary inversion of power, where the pure-hearted, who were outlawed, or cast out, will be honoured.

    The crowns (of those in power) will be thrown up in the air (alluding to a celebration) and their thrones will be cast low. The final stanza of the poem is the most religious in tone, declaring that the only name (essentially on people’s lips) will that be of Allah and a great revolutionary cry of “I am Truth” will go up and people of faith will rule again.

    In recent times, the poem has become an anthem for rights activitsts taking to streets across the Indian subcontinent.

  • Zainab Abbas tied the knot in a beautiful afternoon wedding

    Zainab Abbas tied the knot in a beautiful afternoon wedding

    Sports presenter and journalist Zainab Abbas tied the knot in a beautiful and intimate afternoon wedding in Lahore.

    Zainab and her husband, Hamza Kardar looked regal in complimenting white and bronze outfits.

    Courtesy – Zamal & Saman Photography

    Zainab donned an outfit by Saadia Mirza while Zara Gul did her makeup.

    How absolutely stunning does she look in this picture.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5QLgwygU7U/

    That glow though.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5QiJd1Aoy8/

    A family portrait. Zainab is also PTI’s Andleeb Abbas’ daughter.

    Soon after Zainab made the announcement, congratulatory messages began to pour in for the happy couple.

    Meanwhile, in a candid interview with The Current, Zainab had revealed three things she was looking for in a life partner.

    “He should be mature. He should be independent and more importantly, understand my work,” Zainab had said in the interview.

    Watch the full interview here:

  • ‘Gen Bajwa reached China to control situation after PTI ministers’ statements against CPEC’

    Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Mushahid Hussain Sayed has said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa had to go to China to control the situation after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ministers levelled baseless allegations regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

    Speaking to a private media outlet Sunday, Mushahid said it was regrettable that the United States (US) openly opposed the CPEC initiative, adding that the project was not aimed at defence, though it did have various strategic implications.

    “China has no link with attempts to subjugate right to freedom in Pakistan,” he said and added that it was unfortunate how every government in Pakistan tried to take credit for the projects launched by its predecessors.

    Speaking about Federal Minister for Communication Murad Saeed’s allegations about corruption in CPEC projects, Mushahid said not even a single rupee corruption had been proven and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal should take Murad to court in this regard.

    The PML-N senator said that CPEC had a central position in the Pak-China strategic relationship, and maintained that the PTI leadership should be very careful in giving statements about the flagship projects as they were not fully aware of the sensitivities attached to it.

  • Boxer Amir Khan calls out PTI minister for taking credit for squash players’ treatment

    Boxer Amir Khan calls out PTI minister for taking credit for squash players’ treatment

    Federal minister Ali Haider Zaidi and boxer Amir Khan have engaged in a Twitter fight over taking credit for supporting former Pakistan number one squash player Riffat Khan.

    Riffat Khan underwent knee surgery last week at Shiffa International Hospital to revive her career. She had earlier requested the Prime Minister Imran Khanto help her after Squash Federation, Sports Board and relevant authorities had refused to help her.

    After media channels highlighted her story, former boxing champion Aamir Khan responded to her call and announced to help her. At the same time, Dr. Shireen Mazari, reportedly, said that minister Ali Zaidi, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, will bear all the expenses of Riffat’s operation.

    Riffat was, then got operated on November 13 and was released from the hospital on 14th.

    Following that, the British-Pakistani boxer tweeted the news item on Riffat’s improved health announcing that Aamir Khan Foundation supported her and paid for the athlete.

    Ali Zaidi responded quickly to that tweet saying that it was his ministry, not Aamir Khan who paid for the operation.

    “To set the record straight, PNSC paid for her operation! I heard Amir Khan offered to pay and many thanks for that, but Maritime government had already stepped in. Therefore, please take credit where it’s due,” tweeted the minister.

    Replying to Ali Zaidi’s tweet, Aamir posted the bank transaction details on his twitter account saying he paid 334,569 rupees for the operation, the government didn’t.

    Soon after these exhanges between the minister and the boxer, journalist Faizan Lakhani while replying to minister’s tweet said, “Actually both of you helped her. I have seen evidence of Amir sending her money & the athlete has also confirmed you both helped her. Aamir stepped in only after relevant people in government had refused to help her, you also reacted to same news story. You both deserve credit”.

    In another interview post her surgery, Riffat had highlighted the government’s treatment towards her before her issue came to media.

    “I was broken, disheartened and shattered by the insulting behavior and I was simply very upset with Acting PSB Director General Amna Imran, who should have realized my pain and agony, rather than keeping me waiting outside her office for an hour,” she had said.

  • Called off Azadi March after assurance of general elections in three months: Fazl

    Called off Azadi March after assurance of general elections in three months: Fazl

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman has disclosed the “conditions” upon which the opposition’s Azadi March sit-in was called off.

    “I was assured that a change would come in the month of December […] I was assured that new general elections would be held in the next three months,” Dunya News quoted Maulana Fazl as saying.

    JUI-F chief said that we need to wait “whether in-house change [in the parliament] is brought or the entire government is sent packing”.

    Meanwhile, Fazl has called multiparty conference (MPC) of the opposition parties on November 26 aimed at discussing next course of action against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    Reports reveal that Fazl has invited several influential politicians including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Ahsan Iqbal and Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, among other senior leaders of opposition parties.

    However, PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz has excused herself from attending the meeting due to health issues, including blood pressure and diabetes.

    The protests, led by JUI-F supremo, began with the ‘Azadi March’ on October 27 from Karachi. Thousands of supporters reached Islamabad on October 31, holding a two-week sit-in on the city’s main highway.

    Later on November 13, Fazl ordered his supporters to disperse across the country to block roads, in what he termed as ‘Plan B’ to topple Prime Minister Imran Khan.